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Liberation Now PodcastAuthor: Liberation Lab: University of Illinois
Liberation Now is a podcast about research, practice and activism around healing and liberation of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. We share inspirational content and stories to provide hope and possibilities for a more liberated future. Language: en Genres: Health & Fitness, Mental Health, Science, Social Sciences Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Liberation Now Ep 20: Reparations, Self-Determination, and Healing
Episode 20
Friday, 19 June, 2026
In this Juneteenth episode, Helen Neville speaks with Illinois State Representative Carol Ammons about reparations as a process of repair, healing, historical truth, and self-determination. The conversation explores the legal foundations of reparations, the relationship between public policy and racial justice, the importance of restoring memory and ancestry, and concrete ways listeners can engage in reparative justice. ABOUT THE GUEST State Representative Carol Ammons is serving her sixth term representing Illinois' 103rd District, proudly serving the communities of Champaign-Urbana and the surrounding region. A lifelong activist and accomplished legislator, Rep. Ammons has dedicated her career to advancing equity, justice, and opportunity for all Illinoisans. She made history as the first African American woman elected to represent the 103rd District, and she continues to be a steadfast advocate for her constituents and a leading voice on issues of racial justice, economic equity, environmental sustainability, higher education, and community well-being. With nearly 15 years of elected public service spanning county, municipal, and state government, Rep. Ammons brings the perspective of both a grassroots organizer and an experienced policymaker. Her work is grounded in the belief that lasting social change requires strong partnerships between community organizers and elected officials. Throughout her legislative career, she has championed transformative policies that expand opportunity, remove systemic barriers, and strengthen communities across Illinois. Committee Assignments Chair, Energy & Environment Committee Appropriations – Higher Education Economic Opportunity & Equity Ethics & Elections Higher Education Museum, Arts, Culture, & Entertainment Personnel & Pensions Task Forces and Commissions Comprehensive Licensing Information to Minimize Barriers Task Force Commission on Equitable Public University Funding Mahomet Aquifer Council Supreme Court Commission on Pretrial Practices Final Report Implementation Task Force Task Force on Campus Sexual Misconduct Climate Surveys Task Force on Higher Education in Prisons REPARATIONS INITIATIVES First Repair National organization supporting state and local reparations initiatives and hosting the National Symposium on State and Local Reparations. H.R. 40 Federal bill to establish a commission to study and develop reparations proposals. S.40 Senate companion legislation on reparations. California Reparations Task Force Report Landmark report and recommendations. Evanston Reparations Nation's first publicly funded municipal reparations program. New York State Reparations Commission Information on New York's reparations commission. Asheville Community Reparations Local reparations initiative. TAKIR (The African Kinship and Identity Reconstruction Project) Illinois genealogy initiative that reconnects African descendants with family histories. SELECTED REPARATIONS GROUPS N'COBRA (National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America) Malcolm X Grassroots Movement (MXGM) CARICOM Reparations Commission National Reparations Network WAYS TO GET INVOLVED Learn about reparations efforts in your own community. Attend the National Symposium on State and Local Reparations. Support state and local reparations legislation. Read scholarship on reparative justice and African American history. Engage elected officials about reparative policies. Support organizations advancing healing, historical truth, and self-determination. STAY IN TOUCH! #LiberationNowPodcast Email: liberationlab.uiuc@gmail.com | Instagram & Bluesky: @liberationlab_ EPISODE CREDITS Music: Amir Maghsoodi and Briana Williams Podcast Artwork: B. Andi Lee & Amir Maghsoodi Episode Intro/Outro: Helen Neville Episode Production: Helen Neville and Salman Safir EPISODE TRANSCRIPT bit.ly/LibNowE20
